Dr. Srinath Chinnakotla Highlights Critical Role of Organ Donation during National Donate Life Month
According to the 2024 presidential proclamation on National Donate Life Month, with a shortage of organ donors and a high demand for them, 17 Americans die each day while waiting for a transplant.
Since the 1960s, when Minnesota's first successful kidney transplants were done at University Hospitals, our transplant program has restored thousands of patients to health through this gift of life.
For National Donate Life Month, Dr. Srinath Chinnakotla, Surgical Director for the Department's Liver Transplant Program and Executive Medical Director of the Solid Organ Transplant Service Line at M Health Fairview, talks about organ donation and how you can make a difference. Dr. Chinnakotla led the University of Minnesota toward reaching the milestone of performing the largest number of transplants in 2023.
What is the current state of organ donation and transplantation in our country?
Dr. Chinnakotla: For the first time in the history of the United States, 10,000 liver transplants were performed in 2023 thanks to the generous donation by families and outstanding work by our organ procurement organizations.
What criteria must individuals meet to become organ donors, and are there any limitations or exclusions?
Dr. Chinnakotla: Liver donors, in general is the donor should be between the ages of 20 and 50 and otherwise healthy.
Is there a cost to becoming an organ donor?
Dr. Chinnakotla: In Minnesota, no costs are associated with becoming an organ donor. The recipient's insurance covers all of the costs.
What organs can be gifted through living donation?
Dr. Chinnakotla: Donating the gift of life through a living organ donation is possible for the liver and kidney.
How can communities and individuals support the mission of organ donation and transplantation?
Dr. Chinnakotla: Everyone should sign the organ DONOR card when they obtain the drivers license.
Are there any advancements or innovations in organ donation and transplantation that your programs are currently involved in or excited about?
Dr. Chinnakotla: Our liver program has one of the highest acceptance rates in the country. We also have an active living liver donor program. We have several innovations, which include but are not limited to using normothermic liver perfusion devices, utilization of DCD organs and hepatitis C positive organs.
